Retired Gen. Irv Halter, Democratic candidate for the 5th Congressional District, has released his latest campaign figures ahead of the deadline, and the show that he's brought in just over $165,000 in the first quarter of 2014.
"We are exactly where we want to be," said Ethan Susseles,...

Retired Gen. Irv Halter, Democratic candidate for the 5th Congressional District, has released his latest campaign figures ahead of the deadline, and the show that he's brought in just over $165,000 in the first quarter of 2014.

"We are exactly where we want to be," said Ethan Susseles, Halter's campaign manager. "It is clear that there is widespread enthusiasm for changing how Washington works."

Halter hopes to challenge incumbent Congressman Doug Lamborn in the November general election.

Susseles said - to date - the campaign has raised almost three-times more than any of Lamborn's other general election challengers. Halter has raised a total of almost $341,000.

Halter will have $217,432 cash on hand when the official campaign finance report is filed with the Federal Election Commission on April 15, Susseles said.

Lamborn's campaign manager didn't respond immediately Tuesday with campaign finance numbers. The numbers become public record in less than a week.

But as of the last reporting cycle Lamborn had a slight lead with $113,674 cash on hand.

Each party will officially select their candidate on Friday at their respective 5th Congressional District assemblies.

Last minute challenger Bentley Rayburn, a retired Air Force major general, announced earlier this month he will try to get enough support at the GOP assembly to force a primary election with Lamborn. That will require at least 30 percent of the delegates in Broomfield Friday afternoon.

Lamborn has been in office since he was first elected in 2006.

Halter also could face a primary election against Leslie Simpson-Summey, a vocalist from the U.S. Navy Band, who is hoping to get a Democratic nomination for the June primary as well.

Summey said she has been focusing on people in the district rather than on raising funds.

"I am more concerned right now with the issues that people care about," Summey said. "We have gotten into money meaning everything in politics and to the average everyday person who is raising their family . having $300 grand in the bank for a campaign just speaks to the problem with the system."

The assembly for Democrats is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Denver, and Summey and Halter will both need at least 30 percent of the delegate vote to get on the ballot.